Tbilisi: The Georgian office of the public defender has taken cognizance of the threat to voters and asked law enforcement agencies to take strict action against those who threatened voters.
The defender’s office also took to their social media handles to share the information in this regard.
The office stated on its official Facebook page that “In recent days, according to the information spread by the media, social networks as well as by various monitoring organisations, it has surfaced that some unknown persons are taking away the identity cards of Georgian citizens through threats, intimidation, violence and/or other illegal means to misuse these in voting on voting days.”
The Public Defender of Georgia reminds the public that obstructing the will in the elections, including by deception, violence or use of official status is a criminal offence.
The Public Defender calls on law enforcement authorities to start an investigation based on possible criminal facts in accordance with publicly disseminated information.
Also the Public Defender of Georgia expresses its readiness within the mandate to help any citizen deprived of his Georgian identity card in this way. In such cases, they can contact the hotline at 1481.
It is worth noting that many Georgian opposition political parties have complained many times that the Georgian Dream has been misusing its authority to influence public opinion.
Some political parties complained that mainstream media outlets are not broadcasting their advertisements.
The Communication Commission has already made it clear that the ruling regime has been threatening media houses to prevent them from displaying the advertisements of opposition political parties.
Notably Georgian parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held on October 26, 2024. The ruling party, Georgian Dream is facing the heat of NGOs, civil society organisations and many other opposition groups for adopting a foreign agents law.
The opposition parties have added that this law will stifle media voices in Georgia.
